Tokyo: Japan wants Malaysia to actively participate in its growing Halal industry to service its increasing volume of Muslim tourists.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who today had a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said the multi-billion halal industry was one of several areas that Tokyo wanted to further build on with Malaysia.
Abe, he said, also put great emphasis on working closer with Kuala Lumpur in addressing regional extremist threats as well as cyber attacks.
Kuala Lumpur, he said, had given Tokyo the undertaking that it would assist the country with intelligence and information-sharing.
This included those on individuals with suspect backgrounds who could reign terror in Japan.
The two leaders' meeting also touched on the Look East Policy 2.0 which, aside from the area of education, also serves to move further cooperation in trade and investments. The thorny South China Sea code of conduct was also on the agenda.
Zahid's meeting with Abe today was held just a few hours after a no-confidence motion against Abe's cabinet, submitted by Japan's four opposition parties, was voted down by his Liberal Democratic Party, in the House of Representatives.
The country's opposition, the Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the People's Life Party had called for Abe's resignation, on grounds that a second postponement of the tax hike under his leadership signalled the failure of his fiscal policy strategy.
Zahid said the meetings with Abe and his deputy Taro Aso, held separately earlier, underlined the bilateral cooperations that both countries would pursue.
On Japan's growing halal market, Zahid said Tokyo was confident that the high halal standards applied in Malaysia would suit its aspirations and expectations in the development of its own industry.
The country, he said, was particularly keen on the standards adopted by the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).
Tokyo, he said would be sending over its officers to Malaysia to explore further, the halal industry.
"Japan is encouraged by its growing industry and wants Malaysian businesses to participate in its halal goods and services industry," Zahid said, adding that the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and the International Trade and Industry Ministry would also be on hand to facilitate their business.
Zahid, who chairs the Malaysian Halal Council (MHM), said the council would also on its part, help ease Japan's foreign direct investment in the sector, here.
He added that Japan was also keen on seeing more robust participation of Malaysian companies dealing in the halal sector doing business here, when Japan plays host to the 2020 Olympics.
"It is encouraging to know that Japan has full confidence that if Malaysian halal industry players were to service Muslims coming to Japan for the Olympics, Syariah-compliant food and services would be a non-issue.
Zahid said Japan had also expressed its concerns over the increasing threats of extremism and terrorism, especially when it opens its doors to the world's largest sporting event.
Tokyo, he said, had asked Kuala Lumpur to share its intelligence and expertise in keeping its territories safe from elements of extremism and terrorism.
"They ackowledge our handling of threats from extremists and terrorists and are keen on tapping into our security management know-how in the area, as they know that technology alone cannot plug holes in addressing terrorism.
"They are confident in our good track record in handling threats of militancy ... and we are more than willing to assist them," said Zahid, who is also Home Minister, adding that they also touched on the two countries' bilateral ties that would celebrate its 60th year, next year.
Zahid's meeting with the Japanese leaders also touched on Japan's interest in bringing its high-speed rail (HSR) technology to Malaysia.
Tokyo, he added was very keen in taking part in the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project. The tender is expected to be opened sometime in July.
Japan, he said, had indicated several offset deals that would likely be reflected in the tendering process.
"For Kuala Lumpur, we are looking at deals that would benefit the country best in every aspect of the HSR project," he said.
The deputy prime minister was on his third day of his five-day working visit to Japan.
Yesterday, he had a breakfast meeting with the Japan-Malaysia Parliamentarians Friendship Association, followed by one with the National Public Safety Commission.
Zahid also toured the NEC Innovation World headquarters where he was briefed on the latest technologies in crime prevention and solving.